Jordan McLean has been handed a shock Origin debut from Blues coach Brad Fittler, with the Cowboys prop set to not only play, but start the game in the front row.
With Payne Haas ruled out through injury, many fans were hoping for a recall for Parramatta’s Reagan Campbell-Gillard or a lifeline to Knights enforcer David Klemmer – but this left-field move has surprised plenty.
The other major news in the team announcement came with the omission of Jack Wighton, who has been named as 18th man.
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The Raiders superstar missed game two with COVID-19, but was arguably New South Wales’ best player in game one, and was firmly in the frame for selection.
Instead, 16 of the 17 who were victorious in Perth will keep their spots – McLean for Haas the only enforced change.
Reece Robson and Jacob Saifiti have also been included in the extended squad.
Queensland coach Billy Slater was full of praise for McLean’s selection, the pair playing together at the Storm.
“I’ve played a lot of football with Jordan McClean,” he said.
“I know what he brings and he’s playing some really good footy this year. So I don’t think they lose too much there.”
See the Queensland squad here!
FULL NEW SOUTH WALES GAME THREE SQUAD
James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters), Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers), Matt Burton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Stephen Crichton (Penrith Panthers),. Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters), Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers), Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers), Jordan McLean (North Queensland Cowboys), Apisai Koroisau (Penrith Panthers), Jake Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers), Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers), Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters), Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels), Siosifa Talakai (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Jack Wighton (Canberra Raiders), Nicho Hynes (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Clint Gutherson (Parramatta Eels), Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights), Reece Robson (North Queensland Cowboys)
FULL NEW SOUTH WALES GAME TWO SQUAD
Matt Burton (Canterbury Bulldogs), Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers), Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters), Stephen Crichton (Penrith Panthers), Clint Gutherson (Parramatta Eels), Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos), Nicho Hynes (Cronulla Sharks), Apisai Koroisau (Penrith Panthers), Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers), Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers), Jordan McLean (North Queensland Cowboys), Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels), Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters), Joseph Suaalii (Sydney Roosters), Siosifa Talakai (Cronulla Sharks), James Tedesco (c) (Sydney Roosters), Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers), Jake Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters), Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers)
FULL NEW SOUTH WALES GAME ONE SQUAD
Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Parramatta Eels), Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers), Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Stephen Crichton (Penrith Panthers), Tyson Frizell (Newcastle Knights), Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos), Nicho Hynes (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Apisai Koroisau (Penrith Panthers), Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers), Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels), Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers), Ryan Matterson (Parramatta Eels), Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights), Tariq Sims (St George Illawarra Dragons), Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos), Joseph Suaalii (Sydney Roosters), James Tedesco (c) (Sydney Roosters), Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers), Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters), Jack Wighton (Canberra Raiders), Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers)